In Nowlan Park two weeks ago, there was a sense in the air that you could nearly touch, that Kilkennyism, that fireproof security in themselves and their team, an attitude that said, ‘Ah, they’re all on about Tipperary, Galway and Waterford, it doesn’t matter who we’ve lost, we’ll take down any one of them’.

Galway hurling selector Damien Curley believes his side are a different animal this term and they cannot wait to take on the reigning All-Ireland champions in Croke Park.

Before yesterday’s Munster hurling semi-final began, the mood and atmosphere around this Cork team reminded me of 2003, when they met Clare in Thurles.

When I stepped down from Dublin last September, I was barely back down the M7 when some people already thought I had relocated to Galway. 

Anthony Daly fears hurling coaches are becoming obsessed with "gimmicks" such as strength and conditioning, dietary requirements and statistics.

Joe Canning landed a free from 110 yards to complete a remarkable comeback by All-Ireland champions Portumna and send them into the semi-finals of the Galway SHC.

Anthony Cunningham is set to become Galway’s longest serving manager since Cyril Farrell guided them to All-Ireland glory in the 1980s after being handed a three-year extension to his term in charge.

Former Galway selector Mattie Kenny is to challenge the man he once shared the sideline with for the position of Galway hurling manager.

Former All-Star Damien Hayes has described the performances of Galway over the past two years as ‘a disaster’.

Galway hurler Joe Canning believes their failure to translate club success onto the inter-county stage has been "blown out of proportion".

Former Galway manager Liam Sammon (pictured) is to be part of an extended backroom team to assist Alan Mulholland next year.

Former Galway hurler Eugene Cloonan is expected to be part of the backroom team unveiled by Anthony Cunningham at next month’s county board meeting.

The end came with a telephone conversation on Friday evening.

... is a very different animal to the Kilkenny full-back who has prowled his square and wore the famed No 3 jersey with distinction for more than a decade. Michael Moynihan took advantage of Noel Hickey’s downtime.

You can blame Malcolm McDonald.

We heard, last year, from former Kilkenny hurler Brian Phelan one theory on Brian Cody’s ability to keep the hunger from seeping out of his group.

"I’M not ruling out Kilkenny,” says Eddie Keher. “But…”

A FEW weeks ago in the quarter-final of the Leinster SHC between Galway and Wexford, we were treated to some magic.

GER LOUGHNANE and John McIntyre are two men who know a thing or two about making headlines.

JOE Canning’s cracking penalty nine days ago in Thurles against Cork set us to considering a basic argument: who has the hardest shot in hurling?

Galway manager Ger Loughnane has made four changes in personnel and a number of positional switches to his team for tomorrow's All-Ireland SHC qualifier clash with Cork (Semple Stadium, throw-in 7pm).

Eugene Cloonan is set to miss Galway’s GAA All-Ireland qualifier against Cork on Saturday.

CROMANE’s Donncha Walsh makes his championship debut for Kerry in Sunday’s Munster SFC final at Páirc Uí Chaoimh, one of four changes for the All-Ireland champions from the side that eased past Clare in the provincial semi final.

Experienced forward Eugene Cloonan has been ruled out of the Galway team for Saturday's All-Ireland SHC second round qualifier against Laois (Pearse Stadium, throw-in 3.30pm).

Galway hurling boss Ger Loughnane has named three championship newcomers in his team to face Antrim in the All-Ireland SHC qualifiers this Saturday.

Galway will field a much-changed side in tomorrow afternoon's All-Ireland SHC qualifier against Antrim (Pearse Stadium, throw-in 3pm).

Clare 2-10 Galway 0-14, Cusack Park

Laois 1-14 Galway 3-20

Wexford 1-16 Galway 0-14, Nowlan Park

Kilkenny 1-19 Galway 0-18

Galway 0-26 Tipperary 3-13

Dublin 2-7 Galway 1-8, Parnell Park

ALLSTAR Nicholas Murphy returns to the Cork team for Saturday’s Allianz NFL clash with Dublin at Parnell Park.

Limerick 1-09 Galway 0-17

Galway 3-25 Antrim 0-12

Galway manager Ger Loughnane has shown his hand for Sunday's NHL Division 1B encounter against Antrim at Pearse Stadium (throw-in 2.30pm).

IT’S the big conundrum for club teams facing into the AIB All-Ireland championship semi-finals over the next two weekends — how have they handled the winter break.

Leinster 1-23 Connacht 0-17

Leinster 1-23 Connacht 0-17

Munster 1-16 Connacht 2-17